`Scientific culture' is the phrase most commonly used in Europe to describe the public's attitude towards science, and their understanding of it. The European Commission (EC) not only sees value in promoting this, but it also views science education at school as a possible way of enhancing it. Not just any school science can achieve such a popular culture, and this article describes a project which researched some of the differences between school science in 15 European countries from the point of view of developing interest in science among young people through what and how they learn at school.
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